Question No. 58 in the transition team vetting document for the Obama White House asks that applicants: “Please provide the URL address of any websites that feature you in either a personal or professional capacity (e.g. Facebook, My Space, etc.)”

Question No. 63 asks that applicants “please provide any other information … that could … be a possible source of embarrassment to you, your family, or the President-Elect.”

For a while there this afternoon, President-elect Barack Obama’s immensely talented chief speechwriter, 27-year-old Jon Favreau, might have been pondering how to address that question.

That’s when some interesting photos of a recent party he attended — including one where he’s dancing with a life-sized cardboard cut-out of secretary of state-designate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, and another where he’s placed his hand on the cardboard former first lady’s chest while a friend is offering her lips a beer — popped up on Facebook for about two hours. The photos were quickly taken down — along with every other photo Favreau had of himself on the popular social networking site, save for one profile headshot.

The photos are gone, but the story’s just picking up steam. Writing at Real Clear Politics, Andrew Breitbart wonders where the outrage has gone: “The National Organization for Women, which last struck issuing news releases on why Sarah Palin isn’t a real woman, refused to comment on the Obama speechwriter incident. When NOW’s press secretary Mai Shiozaki was reached Friday, she first claimed not to have seen the Favreau photograph. But when called later, she offered two reasons for not weighing in: ‘I haven’t looked into it’ and ‘I have a 5 p.m. deadline. … I am already late.’ ”

These antics ought to be summarily condemned by president-elect Obama. He ought to fire Jon Favreau. If he does not fire Favreau, he risks fostering the perception that he condones Favreau’s disrespect toward Sen. Clinton. He also risks encouraging this sort of behavior in other young men toward women who are not merely cardboard cutouts.

Drinking and sexual assault are a pernicious and persistent problem on college campuses.

Amy Siskind, co-founder of The New Agenda, responds, “Favreau’s mix of alcohol and groping are hardly a laughing matter. It is a national catastrophe that 32 percent of our college women are victims of domestic violence. Every mother and father should be appalled by Favreau’s actions which would seem to be encouraging degradation and sexualization of women.

While Hillary Clinton has decided to make light of the situation — an adviser sent Kamen this e-mail: “Senator Clinton is pleased to learn of Jon’s obvious interest in the State Department, and is currently reviewing his application” — Ann Bartow at the Feminist Law Professors blog isn’t amused: “If this is supposed to be excused as a ‘youthful indiscretion’ because Favreau is ‘so young’ then I think Obama’s judgment in continuing to rely professionally on someone so ‘young’ and irresponsible and offensively sexist can reasonably be questioned.”

I’m sorry, but this is the same woman who, during the campaign, pointed to example after example of sexism directed at her saying that, quote, “It’s been deeply offensive to millions of women”?

Is this the same woman who pointed out the references to her cleavage or her cackle, the comments by certain pundits and the media?

The same woman who concluded, quote, “the remnants of sexism are alive and well” after someone at a rally shouted out “iron my shirt”?

She made a point of calling people out during the campaign, and for that, she became a hero to millions of women. But now, the campaign is over.

She is joining Team Obama, and, apparently, this photo of her likeness being groped by another key member of Obama’s team doesn’t bother her a bit. Just good-natured fun, or so her spokesman says.

Really, Sen. Clinton? Boy, have you changed your tune. You really think this photo is OK?

Put another woman in that photo, just an average woman who supported you during the campaign. Have it be her image being degraded by a colleague of hers. Would you be OK with that?
You drove an important conversation about issues just like this during the campaign.

Yes, and people who would never actually lynch someone might hang ropes from trees. And we call that DISGUSTING.

This too was DISGUSTING. Should he lose his job? Don’t know, but I wish we could call it what is is. An act of sexist, disgusting, immaturity. And the kind of thing that contributes to a climate in which real assaults take place.

Other ridiculous PC nonsensical nothing story by feminists who have nothing better to do with their time. Yes, it’s a catastrophe when a man puts his on a CARDBOARD chest. Throw him to the wolves!! And forget how talented he is and make him wear a scarlet C for life. These overboard PC types have taken all the diversity and creativity out of being fun and want to robotocize us all. Strip the world of humor and make a dull self censored place for all. Pathetic.

Oh for Pete’s sake. Can we all just put behind us this kind of political/media hysteria that makes mountains out of every molehill?

It was a dumb, ill-advised prank in an era that is unforgiving of the slightest lapse in decorum. It was not meant for public consumption, nor was it, I am sure, reflective of Favreau’s true feelings about Clinton or women in general.

With the economy collapsing and wars on at least two fronts, we actually have serious issues to think about now, so we don’t have to focus every single moment of mildly bad judgment that some politician might have.

Clinton’s response was admirable, and demonstrative of her consistently smart judgment. She will make a great Secretary of State, and I suspect she and Obama are far more alike than different.

He’s a 27 year-old boy, what do you expect? And if he should happen to read this and be offended at the usage of the term “boy” here — he’s lucky I didn’t use the term “jerk,” because that applies as well.

As for a reflection of the Obama administration — non-issue. I’m less offended by this twit’s inappropriate behavior than the behavior of the Bush White House over the last 8 years.

Priorities people. If Clinton was ok with it, who are you to pass judgement? Oh, and the economy is falling apart, there’s no universal healthcare, we’re engaged in two “unwinnable” wars, we have no international credibility
and the environment is rapidly deteriorating…
I think some of the people complaining should get drunk and laid. Or can’t and thus the complaints….

The only thing wrong about this is that he got caught…or maybe the imprudence, from a practical standpoint, that he posted it on the internet! (pretty stupid) But the “feminist outcry”? Come oooooooooonnnn! Who appointed Campbell Brown hair-splitter-in-chief? Have any of these people ever “had fun” before? How does anyone know whether or not his girlfriend was standing off camera grasping the crotch of a John McCain cutout, and everyone, man and woman, in the room were laughing their heads off, b/c that’s what adults do when they get together? What a circus that all these stupid “organizations” feel the need to jump all over this with “a statement.” Shut up, you’re annoying.

Yes, it is serious. It proves what many have always suspected, that Sen. Obama’s supporters were using his race as an alibi for sexism, that the atmosphere in his inner circle is intensely chauvinist, and that his election will not bring “change” or “hope” to the workplaces of America but is just another way to continue the ‘good ol’ boys’ grip on power. The really radical thing to do would have been to elect a woman … but she must content herself with a consolation prize, an office handed to her by a man, while the whole world now knows that his advisers are secretly sneering at her, gloating over her dependence on “the man”.

(As an aside, everyone should read Gus’s take on this; it was hilarious, astute, and punchy.)

(1) Those talking-up Mr. Favreau’s “power” clearly are not acquainted with what speechwriters do, i.e., write speeches. The substantive content of those speeches is often or — in the case of the White House — assuredly determined by policymakers, a separate cast of characters.

(2) If one quibbles that Mr. Favreau, whatever his cosmetic power, oughtn’t be a part the incoming administration by dint of his “act[ing] stupid” while intoxicated (to quote Gus), I’m afraid the punishment doesn’t at all fit the crime. I am sympathetic to the argument that the conduct was offensive (even as an objective matter), but not at all sympathetic to the argument that he ought to be fired over it.

A 27-year old is not a kid. He is a grown man. Did we call Monica, who was younger than he is, a kid when she was having an affair with Bill? No, we called her a woman. This is a man who did this, a man who had so little respect for women and for his black male employer that he would compromise everybody’s reputation to entertain his male friends.

His behavior is sexist, disgusting, and offensive. The ONLY thing that may protect him is that Hillary Clinton is a public figure, and she was not his co-worker at the time the photograph was taken. This is why comparing the image to Michelle Obama is a mistake. Michelle Obama is a spouse of a public political figure. It would make more sense to compare this to somebody doing the same thing to an image of Condaleeza Rice.

Bill Clinton is part of theproblem here, and he’s why Hillary had to forgive the speechwriter. Democrats, male and female, fought for him to keep his job after he groped ACTUAL women and degraded Hillary more than these boys could have if they tried. So if this speechwriter gets fired for groping a cardboard cutout, it will recast what happened to Bill Clinton and his real sexual indiscretions. That’s why it’s in Hillary’s best interest to make this go away.

Are these people serious? Outraged because the guy groped a cardboard cutout? This is why feminism often gets a bad name: because there is often no sense of perspective and rational judgment. Never use a rapier when a scythe is available. I agree wholeheartedly with #11. Get a life!

Isn’t the problem that there is no more privacy? Lord knows what Jefferson said drunk one night. He certainly liked wine. Thankful for our founding fathers, they did not have to live minute-by-minute on the internet. Growing up, we learned about the New York Times rule — you shouldn’t do it if you would not want to read about in the Times. But the risk analysis had an unspoken rule: it does not make it to the Times if it is not newsworthy. Unfortunately, the You Tube rule does not have such discretion.

The story is that he’s going to be the head speech writer for the President of the United States- What if your mother, wife, daughter were the cutout-would you feel differently? 32%of college women are sexual assaulted in one way or another-
This gesture was a facsimile of a real coercive sex act against a non- consenting woman- Holding back the hair to pour alcohol down the throat while the other grabbed a breast is not just an innocent act. And if, in fact, this is just a typical frat boy prank- why is a typical frat boy going to be putting words into the mouth of the next President and why hasn’t he condemned the act?

I am as sympathetic to women’s issues as pretty much anyone, but doesn’t anyone think these commentators should start doing and stop commenting.

Yes, he made a mistake. Yes, is looks and can be viewed as sexist. Yes, we have all done politically incorrect and embarrassing things.

But with all that is happening in the world right now, is a picture taken at a party something that should be moving the debate. Why don’t this commentators take an honest look at the circumstances, call it like they see it, and move on.

Work on getting women equal pay for equal work; work on eliminating sexual abuse and domestic violence; work on getting more women into math and science related fields. But do not call for the head or a qualified speech writer who was forgiven for his erroneous judgment by the person it should have or did offend.

This is the stuff that irritates moderates about the media and liberals. That they hold other people to higher standards than they hold themselves, and that some people view everything in the context of the political bubble of Washington D.C..

Everyone should step back for a second, and judge the events through a practical lens rather than a political lens.

Who approved this “story” to even get space in the paper? I fought hard for women’s rights and the comments in the article from the “feminists” trivialize all our efforts. If Sen. Clinton can laugh, why can’t the rest of us? One more time–IT WAS A CARDBOARD CUTOUT, not a woman.

Actually, I think it’s disgusting. And I can’t help but think that some of these comments dismissing it come from spin doctors. Obama picked this guy to do serious-minded work, to write about decency and inclusiveness. Then he turns around and acts like a sexist pig, posts it on the web and has a good laugh. And that’s ok? You know it’s not ok.

As a 23 year old feminist who supported Hillary all the way, up until the Convention when I put it all behind Barack: These organizations and individuals that are allegedly “representing women” in this nonsense are damaging their own credibility, purporting to speak for people whom they are utterly embarrassing, and worst of all reinforcing the stereotype of “feminists” as humorless, combative and out-of-touch. Meanwhile, actual issues facing women in this horrific economy and under our current administration are being ignored.

As someone in complete awe of Favreau’s talent and accomplishments at such a young age, I hate to see him becoming a pawn in this artificial scandal. I think there is a real lack of appreciation/understanding for just how difficult it is for our generation to separate our public and private lives. It’s a fact of life in this era and isn’t an excuse, but looking at the photo, I see a group of friends having a few beers and a little bit of slightly un-PC fun after what was certainly a long week. If that’s the worst you can find on Favreau, I say give him a promotion.

So groping a cardboard image is offensive. Didn’t know that. How about thinking about groping a cardboard image? What if the image is a man? Is it okay for a man to think about groping a cardboard image of another man? Help please.

Excuse, was it a cut-out, or a live human being? For all the feminists out there, I think your time might be better sent attacking the real thing. People will act stupid – including women. But the problem is when men do this and far worse to actual intoxicated women, and then record it and post it online.

Just as he will eschew the far left, Obama needn’t cater to every complaint from special interests, as long as he keeps he eye on the ball, our country. If you want to tie him down with stuff that you–yes you, complainers–can take care of, don’t do it lightly.

So take care of it. Leave the immature Mr. Favreau alone and let him do his job.